I hated the holiday village. Went to the one in Egypt. 100% Brits all complaining that they had to pay £2 for the Sun newspaper. They started drinking at 10 and left kids to do whatever they wanted. Meals were like dinner time, lots of bugs going around. It's the first time I've been away and been surrounding by Brits. However, the kids loved it. Give it a try if you get a cheap deal only.

I tend to avoid hotels with all or a high percentage of British guests just to avoid the moaning and also I enjoy the mix of different nationalities. How about a family resort that is not necessarily all inclusive, many have great entertainment for the children? I've found all-inclusive hotels tend to be better in the Caribbean than Europe and often not vastly more expensive.

I have been particularly scared off by the wildly different reviews. I have looked at aboutt half of the european based AI's with first choice - you get 60% saying that it was wonderful and the other 40% saying the hotel is run down, food warm at best but all of them harping on about how very clean they all are. I guess the budget is a problem as the reviews of the premier venues do seem much better. Thanks for all your help!

I went to Tenerife, I want to go to Mexico next time but I might need to rob a bank. I must admit to being biased as I work for tui but I think it's the best you can get before moving into the outrageously expensive bracket. The one in Crete is run by Atlantica Hotels, if you google them you'll get a good idea what standard they are. They get really good customer feedback too.

Gregs the wine at Sensatori is good, house wines as part of package are nice or you can pay for a wider choice from the wine list OP have you looked at Sensatori? Might be a good balance between what suits you and stuff for dc' s.

Ok, we did AI at holiday village last February. Hotel was good, food good for breakfast and lunch, dinner average - I like to order from a menu and didn't like school dinner atmosphere to the evening meal. I too like a nice glass of wine. Wine at AI is awful. Friends have said the same at various resorts they have been to. They only offered one and it was vile. I bought my own and had a couple of drinks on the balcony of an evening when ds slept.

I would never, ever go in school holidays.

Clubs and entertainment for ds were brilliant though which is why we are looking at different options again this year but long similar lines. I'd much rather forego a glass of wine for ds. We are looking at Sensatori by thomson.

I would have said the same as you a few years ago . Last year we went on our first AI with dd 7 and ds 3 and had a great time - one of the First Choice holiday villages.

Yes there are a lot of mostly noisy kids. The meal times are quite restrictive and the after dinner entertainment was questionable at best

However....the food was great, the kids were happy all day either in the pool, on the beach or at the kids club, and I had the most relaxed holiday since having them! My moto (for the next few years at least) is happy kids = happy parents.

What I love about AI is I don't need to think about anything. Breakast's there, so's lunch and dinner. You want a drink, you get one. You want entertainment you join in, you don't, then you don't join in.

Let me start by saying I am well - a bit snobby when it comes to holidays. I am not a fan of 'entertainment', bingo, organised activities, etc. i like tasty food and a decent glass of wine. Not a big fan of great hordes of kids either. I am presuming therefore I would be insane to consider this type of holiday? We have a 9 year old who would love the activities which is really why we are considering it.